How to Nail Your Next Interview

Why

The way you carry yourself is just as important as what you say during an interview. Hiring managers pay close attention to nonverbal communication. In fact, 33 percent of employers have passed over on a candidate because of bad eye contact and 22 percent made their decision based on bad posture.

How

Be as engaged as possible during the interview. Sit up straight and do not fidget. Look your interviewer in the eye, but don't engage in staring contests, which could be seen as a challenge to authority.

Don't fidget

Why

Nerves are common in interviews, but fidgeting can significantly hurt your chances of getting a job. Twenty six percent of hiring managers report they will pass on someone who fidgets during their interview.

How

Channel nervous energy into an engaging and enthusiastic persona by moving in purposeful ways. Rather than fidgeting, focus on illustrating interview points with hand gestures and positive facial expressions.

Don't lie

Why

Lying about your education or job history may seem like a good way to impress an interviewer, but if you get hired based on those lies, it will ruin your reputation and may even cost you your job. It is too easy for companies to verify information to risk lying before or during an interview.

How

Accentuate strengths, but do not make things up.

Do take your time answering questions

Why

"It is human nature to begin formulating an answer even before the speaker has finished. Avoid this temptation," said Stephanie Kinkaid, Assistant Director of the Wackerle Career and Leadership Program at Monmouth College. "Actively listen to the interviewer so you can answer completely. If you do not know the answer, be honest. Interviewers would rather have an honest answer than have one that is fabricated."

How

Think about how you will answer common interview questions before the interview, including background information and verbal tests about potential situations that may arise on the job (e.g., "tell me about a time you disagreed with your supervisor" or "what would you do if a team member was not pulling their weight?"). This will make it easier to provide thoughtful answers to interview questions that showcase your talents.

The average job interview lasts 40 minutes.

Why

Remain pleasant and positive during an interview. Saying negative things about former employers will make you look bad and do not result in a pleasant interview. A job interview is not the time to air past grievances.

How

If you are asked about why you left your last job, put a positive spin on it and say as little as possible. Try to highlight what you learned from the experience and how you will do things differently in your next job.

Although it is illegal to ask questions about marital status, religion, disabilities, children and ethnicity during a job interview, 20 percent of hiring managers admit to posing these questions because they didn't realize it was against the law.

Do highlight your successes

Why

"Highlighting what you have done in the past will prove you will be an asset and are successful. Apply past successes to the criteria listed about the job," said Tony Beshara, Creator of The Job Search Solution and president of placement and recruitment firm Babich & Associates.

How

Collect some anecdotes of past workplace accomplishments and think about how they relate to the new position. Incorporate past successes into your interview answers provide potential employers with concrete examples of your success.

Don't make up phony weaknesses

Why

"As a person in charge of hiring, it gets old hearing that you are a perfectionist or that you volunteer for too many opportunities," said Jesse Wright, Vice President of Recruiting and Delivery at Adecco Engineering and Technology. "Those qualities are actually strengths and do not fool the interviewer."

How

"Instead, admit a technical weakness or true personal weakness that you are working to improve that is not critical to the job description," Wright added. "It is a bonus if you can also show a way in which you've already grown or steps you've already taken to begin overcoming this weakness. For example 'I have basic Adobe InDesign skills, but I am working to advance those skills by taking training classes.'"

Do speak with enthusiasm

Why

In most interviews, the interviewer wants to see excitement about the position. If you do not speak with enthusiasm about the potential job, the employer may think you don't care about the position and give the job to someone else.

How

Show your enthusiasm during the interview and speak with confidence about your past experiences that qualify you for the new position. Do your best to keep your energy high.

Don't add filler phrases

Why

Many interviewees use verbal pauses, such as "ums" and "ahs" while thinking. This can give a bad impression, as it imparts that you may not know what you're talking about.

How

Slow down and watch your words. If you need to collect your thoughts, take a silent pause or even repeat the interviewer's question.

fact

The words "always" and "never" should be avoided during job interviews because hiring managers associate them with low-performing employees.

Do take notes

Why

Bring notes about the company and position to an interview. During the interview, actively take notes. This will show that you are interested in the job and help you remember important questions to ask during any subsequent interviews you may have.

How

Bring several pens with you to the interview in case the original pen runs out of ink.

Don't focus solely on you

Why

"An interview is your opportunity to make an impression and ultimately sell yourself," said John Fleischauer, Senior Talent Attraction Manager at Halogen Software. "Focus on the value you can bring to the organization - not how much vacation time you get."

How

When you ask questions, focus on the company and the position, not on benefits. If the interviewer brings up salary or benefits, you can discuss them, but do not bring up the topic.

Don't leave your phone on

Why

A ringing phone, or worse, an interviewee who answers their phone during an interview, is the last thing a potential employer wants to see.

How

Turn off all mobile devices before an interview.

Additional Resources

• 10 Body language Interview Mistakes. Read this Forbes slideshow to learn – and avoid – top interview mistakes when it comes to your body language.
• 13 Things Not to Do Before and During a Job Interview. Be rude to the receptionist, put your phone on vibrate, or complain about your ex: one misstep and job candidates find themselves on the fast track to the parking lot. Find out what NOT to do during an interview.
• 4 Tips to Ace Your Next Phone Interview. A phone interview may seem both personal and casual – but it's not. Discover ways to remain professional while simultaneously handling possible distractions, poor reception, or moments of silence.
• 8 Subtle Ways to Ace the Interview. Hiring managers just don't listen to a candidate's answers; they listen to their questions, too. U.S. News Money recommends that candidates “be nice to everyone” they meet in the process, to make small talk, and that “there's no excuse” for not asking at least one pertinent question.
• 9 Simple Body Language Tips for Your Next Interview. Hang gestures, posture and how you enter a room all send silent signals to interviewers before you've even said a word. Make sure you're sending the right signal with these tips.
• 9 Tips to Manage your Body Language at Interviews. How long should a job candidate hold eye contact with other interview participants? PayScale encourages candidates to make contact but never stare. The solution is to employ “non-creepy” eye contact along with a smile. Learn more tips at the site.
• Ace the Interview. Monster devotes an entire section of its web presence to helping applicants tackle the toughest and most critical points in interviewing, from preparation beforehand to handling the hard questions and interview dress. A wide range of articles discuss questions to ask the employer, as well as provide advice on the interview questions common to each major career field.
• Birchbox co-CEO: How to nail a job interview. Co-CEO Katia Beauchamp prefers job candidates “who are positive, have a clear vision, and can handle themselves well in challenging situations.” Read how C-level managers look at job applicants.
• Body Language Speaks Volumes on a Job Interview. Detailed, close-up photographs on this professional search and recruitment site were posed by actors to illustrate body language and tics that shout “no way” to interviewers. Learn the most-useful techniques for establishing body distance, the use of props, positioning the legs and feet, and what to do with your hands.
• Body Language That Gets the Job. This expert video not only tells but shows the type of body language to emulate, and what should be avoided, to ensure a successful interview.
• Expert Advice: 9 Tips to Nail an In-Person Interview: Job candidates shouldn't panic during uncomfortable silences during a job interview. Instead, Nerdwallet says, turn nervous energy into a powerful asset. Learn how, plus tips on when to speak up, and when to shut up.
• Interview Body Language Gaffes That Can Cost You the Job. Forbes author Jacquelyn Smith offers tips on using positive body language; from the strength of the initial handshake to positioning yourself with the right symmetry to avoid looking like a “crooked” applicant.
• List of Weaknesses. All candidates have weaknesses. Employers expect applicants to discuss them during an interview to learn more about the candidate's self-appraisal and attitude toward improvement. Weaknesses have names and this list provides examples to look for in responding to interview questions.

After The Interview

fact

The average response time after the conclusion of a job interview is 24 hours to two weeks.

Do ask questions about the position

Why

Asking questions not only shows the hiring manager that you are interesting in the position, but it also helps clarify whether a job is right for you.

How

Think about what you want in a job and where you want your career to go. Ask questions to clarify how the job will help you reach your future career goals.

Don't Forget To Follow Up

Why

Thank you notes are considered a common courtesy, and following up after an interview reiterates your interest in the job. Following up may set you apart from other candidates.

How

Email a note to the interviewer expressing appreciation for the meeting. Mention continued interest in the job. A handwritten note is even more effective.

Additional Resources

• 10 Things to Do After a Job Interview. A bulletproof way to fail is to stalk people after the interview. Author Shailynn Krow offers tips on how to retain focus, communicate desire and demonstrate professionalism (and patience) while playing the waiting game.
• 4 Non-Annoying Ways to Follow Up After an Interview. Master the art of professionally – and briefly – following up with a potential employer to ensure you stay in their minds, for the right reasons.
• 5 Expert Tips for Following Up After a Job Interview. The post-interview silence can be deafening. HR professionals don't enjoy being bombarded with responses, but there are business-appropriate ways for an applicant to determine if they remain in the running.
• 5 things you MUST do after a job interview. CIO writer Sara K. White advises job seekers to keep looking for work while awaiting company communications after the interview, and on thank-you note process. It's time to alert references to possible calls and perform a thorough post-mortem on the recent interview.
• 8 tips for giving thanks after an interview. Professional responses to HR personnel, hiring managers and staff can be personalized to create a tailored pitch, but still should be penned in a business tone. The Ladders outlines the key variables such as post-interview timing, company culture and reiterating interest in the opening.
• After the Interview: 4 Ways to Follow Up. Pulling the plug on contact with the recruiting team after the interview indicates that you're not interested in other positions or future openings either there, or with companies doing business with them. Monster shows the right way to rebound from the sting of rejection while maintaining good rapport with those who might help in the short- or long term.
• How Not to Follow Up After a Job Interview. Avoid these common missteps and make sure you continue to make the right impression post-interview.
• How to Follow Up After a Job Interview. Forbes recommends that post-interview candidates maintain appropriate contact and professional relationships with everyone, from the phone screener to the division head. Handwritten replies on tasteful blank cards can work well if each person in the process receives a unique message, and that same applies to email responses.
• How to Follow Up After an Interview. Recruitment entrepreneur and Hamilton Bradshaw CEO James Caan breaks apart a strategic thank you note, paragraph-by-paragraph, explaining the purpose of “going the extra mile every single time” to follow up, and follow through.
• Job Interview Thank You Letter Examples. About.com has compiled examples across the spectrum, listing note examples by type best suited to company culture, job title, employee title, and more. The list also contains examples for writing thank you notes despite rejection, requests for a second interview and other circumstances.
• The Right Way to Say Thanks After An Interview. Those who fail to follow up after an interview have just cut down the pack of potential candidates. So says Fast Company and its guide to post-interview follow ups.
• Writing a Great Post-Interview Thank You Note. Just because your interview has concluded doesn't mean that your job as a potential employee is over. Sending a quick and professional “thank you” after the fact is an important step. Find out how.